Portland, Oregon's M. Ward describes his fourth full-length release, Transistor Radio as a collection of songs "about childhood memories of a utopian radio power..." and dedicates the album to "the last of the remaining independent radio stations." Opening with a beautiful John Fahey-esque instrumental rendition of the Beach Boys' "You Still Believe in Me," Transistor Radio continues down a dusty well-worn road full of timeless, uniquely American stories. Ward's distinctly weathered voice and intricate guitar playing are helped along with an impressive group of guests incuding Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley), Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) and Jordan Hudson (The Thermals).